Lebanon’s government is moving to place all weapons under state control—an unprecedented push to disarm Hezbollah that risks igniting domestic unrest but could redefine national sovereignty.
At a Glance
- Lebanon aims to disarm Hezbollah through dialogue
- U.S. pressures Beirut to enforce disarmament law
- Israeli conflict, Syrian collapse weakened Hezbollah
- Army cracks down on cross-border rocket attacks
- Qatar pledges $60M, arms to support Lebanese forces
Aoun’s Warning: Disarm or Face Collapse
In a dramatic turn, Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun announced that Hezbollah must hand over its weapons and submit to state authority. The declaration, following what Aoun called a “national decision,” seeks to consolidate all military power under official control—without plunging the country back into civil war. He stressed the plan would be implemented through direct dialogue, not confrontation.
According to a report from OANN, Aoun made clear that while Hezbollah members could join the Lebanese Armed Forces individually, the group itself would never be institutionalized as a separate military unit. The President’s push reflects growing fears that Hezbollah’s arsenal—long outside government control—is a destabilizing threat both internally and along Lebanon’s border with Israel.
Watch the latest video coverage at “Decision Made” Lebanon Outlines Plan to Disarm Hezbollah.
U.S. and Israel Dial Up the Heat
International pressure has surged. As reported by Al Jazeera, U.S. Deputy Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus visited Beirut, urging compliance with UN Resolution 1701—which demands the disarmament of all non-state actors. The U.S. is also pushing for financial crackdowns to choke Hezbollah’s funding streams, many of which allegedly stem from Iran.
Hezbollah, weakened after last year’s Israeli conflict and the collapse of Assad’s regime in Syria, now faces intense scrutiny. Israeli strikes have devastated its leadership, with intelligence suggesting significant disruptions in command. As covered by the Jerusalem Post, this shift has emboldened Lebanese officials and raised hopes that Hezbollah’s long immunity to state oversight may be ending.
Army Operations and Foreign Aid
The Lebanese army has already launched targeted operations against suspected Hezbollah arms sites. Officials recently detained individuals linked to rocket attacks into northern Israel—escalations that risk dragging Lebanon into regional conflict. Crackdowns have extended to arms smuggling routes in the south, with the army confiscating rockets and explosives.
To support the army’s expansion and professionalization, Qatar announced $60 million in funding and the donation of over 160 military vehicles. This effort is seen as crucial to counterbalancing Hezbollah’s entrenched military infrastructure while helping the state reassert border control.
The Road Ahead: Diplomacy or Disaster?
Still, disarming Hezbollah is far from guaranteed. The group has agreed only to participate in a “national dialogue” on defense strategy but has refused to discuss surrendering arms “as a matter of principle.” According to ongoing coverage, Lebanese officials are hoping regional diplomacy—including U.S.-Iran negotiations—might yield progress where internal politics cannot.
President Aoun continues to warn of the stakes: failure to bring Hezbollah’s weapons under control could lead to further conflict or international isolation. But the path forward is delicate. As Lebanon balances sovereignty, survival, and regional power dynamics, the battle over Hezbollah’s arsenal may determine the country’s fate for decades to come.
